Development of an Organizations Strategic Plan

This solution utilizes a small organization and walks the learner through the development of the organizations strategic plan. Included in the development of the strategic plan includes the crafting of the organizations vision and mission statements and a discussion on how best to include the organizations employees in the development of the strategic plan in order to gain buy-in.

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Developing the Vision

In the building of the IT directorate's strategic plan, it is important that the IT organizations vision maintain a close correlation with the overall agency vision. In line with the concept of "Strategic Thinking", the vision must allow for flexibility and innovation. The vision should allow for creative ways to meet goals and objects and not hinder or prevent the organization from meeting its requirements. The organizations vision should be developed by both senior and mid level leaders of the IT organization. Enabling all levels of the management chain to participate in developing the vision of the organization obtains input from the most senior leader to the first level manager.
Both the organizational and higher level agency vision must be articulated to organizational personnel. This is to include those employees that are not managers and who will ultimately be the day-to-day employees that implement the vision. The employees, who understand the future direction of the organization, are more likely to suggest creative strategies that will enable the organization to meet its objectives in a more efficient and productive manner. This is in line with the concept of "Strategic Thinking". To facilitate an understanding of its vision to its employees, the IT directorate leaders will hold town meetings and brown bag lunches. This type of interactive forum serves two purposes. First, employees are educated on the vision of the organization. Why is this important? Challenges are encountered on a regular basis from both internal and external sources, and it is important to have an informed workforce who understands the direction of the organization. This enables the workforce to make better decisions to meet mission requirements. Secondly, decision makers are able to hear the feedback from employees on the vision they have created. This empowers the workforce to provide input and possible changes to the organizations future, creating a more effective workforce.

Understanding the Organization

A plan to implement the organizations vision must be developed. This comes in the form of an organizational Strategic plan. The development of the organizations Strategic plan should take a synoptic approach. A consensus on the strategy the organization will take must be agreed upon. Issues such as the organizations strengths, weaknesses, and how to meet higher-level organizational objectives should all be discussed. The level of uncertainty, strategic posture, and portfolio of actions must be addressed and consensus among the decisions makers should be gained.

In order to develop the strategic plan, the IT organization must understand certain issues about itself. The organization must look externally as well as internally to determine whether it has a ...

Solution Summary

This solution utilizes a small organization and walks the learner through the development of the organizations strategic plan. Included in the development of the strategic plan includes the crafting of the organizations vision and mission statements and a discussion on how best to include the organizations employees in the development of the strategic plan in order to gain buy-in.